The aroma of warm spices and rich fruitcake is synonymous with Christmas celebrations. This year, ditch the guilt and enjoy a delicious Christmas Plum Cake that's both eggless and non-alcoholic, perfect for everyone to share. This recipe delivers all the traditional festive flavours you crave – the succulent sweetness of plump raisins and cherries, the comforting warmth of cinnamon and cloves, and the delightful texture of a perfectly moist cake. Forget complicated techniques and expensive ingredients; this recipe is surprisingly simple and uses readily available items. It's the perfect centerpiece for your holiday gatherings, guaranteed to impress your guests.
This eggless and non-alcoholic Christmas Plum Cake is incredibly versatile. You can adjust the spices to your liking, add different dried fruits, or even incorporate nuts for extra crunch. Ready to bake a truly memorable Christmas treat? Let's dive into the step-by-step instructions to create this delightful and inclusive Christmas cake.
Tools Needed
- Bowls
- Saucepan
- Cake Tin
- Parchment Paper
- Oven
- Sieve
Ingredients
- Cherries (chopped): 100 grams
- Tutti Frutti: 100 grams
- Cranberries: 60 grams
- Golden Raisins: 60 grams
- Black Raisins: 60 grams
- Apricots (chopped): 60 grams
- Dates (chopped): 60 grams
- Brown Sugar: 1/4 cup
- Cinnamon Powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Nutmeg Powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Clove Powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Cardamom Powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Orange Rind (grated)
- Orange Juice: 1 1/4 cup
- White Granulated Sugar: 1 cup
- Water (hot): 1 cup
- Unsalted Butter (melted): 200 grams
- Vanilla Essence: 1 teaspoon
- Maida (All-purpose Flour): 300 grams
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Baking Soda: 1/2 teaspoon
- Baking Powder: 1 1/2 teaspoons
- Cashew Nuts (chopped): 100 grams
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare the Fruit and Syrup Base
- In a bowl, combine all chopped dry fruits, brown sugar, spices, orange rind, and orange juice. Let it soak for 30 minutes.
- In a saucepan, caramelize 1 cup of white sugar. Once dissolved and a dark brown color, carefully add 1 cup of hot water, mixing well until dissolved.
- Add the caramelized sugar syrup, melted butter, and vanilla essence to the soaked dry fruits. Mix well.
Step 2. Combine and Mix Ingredients
- Sift together maida, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients, mixing until well combined.
- Fold in the chopped cashew nuts.
Step 3. Bake the Cake
- Line a cake tin with parchment paper.
- Pour the batter into the prepared tin, tap gently to remove air bubbles. Preheat oven to 160°F (71°C) and bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Step 4. Cool and Serve
- Once baked, let the cake cool completely before removing it from the tin.
Read more: How to Make Delicious Indian Rice Cakes: A Simple Recipe
Tips
- If you don't have brown sugar, use granulated white sugar.
- You can substitute other dry fruits if you don't have cranberries.
- Use any nuts of your choice (almonds, walnuts, etc.).
Nutrition
- N/A
FAQs
1. Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried fruit?
While dried fruit is traditional, you can add some fresh cranberries or cherries, but reduce the liquid slightly as fresh fruit releases more moisture during baking.
2. How can I store the leftover cake?
Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. It also freezes well.
3. What can I substitute for the oil?
You can substitute the oil with melted unsalted butter or applesauce for a slightly different flavor and texture. Reduce the liquid slightly if using applesauce.
This eggless and non-alcoholic Christmas plum cake recipe is a delicious and inclusive way to celebrate the holidays. Enjoy the delightful flavors and the satisfaction of creating a festive treat that everyone can savor. Happy baking, and Merry Christmas!